Carver Owners Forum

We are currently enjoying a 2006 Searay 44 DB Sedan Bridge. We are spending much more time aboard than in the past and are considering moving up to a 55 to 60 foot aft cabin yacht for enhanced comfort. We really like the idea of the hard top with hard enclosure as is offered on the 564, to avoid the inevitable issues with aging vinyl and zippers ect. We are a bit surprised that there are so few manufacturers that offer the hard top with the hard enclosure. I'm assuming that it has to do with the lack of ventilation and expense and difficulty of air-conditioning the bridge. Does anyone have any first hand experience that would suggest that it be wise to stay away from this configuration? We are based in the SF Bay area with some time spent in the delta.
Thanks for any input
Carpe Diem

Hello, I don't personally have experience with the hard enclosure. A neighboring boat in my Marina had a 4788 Bayliner with the hard enclosure installed. He claimed it was the best room in the boat after he did that. He loved it. I had a custom hardtop made for my Voyager, I would love to have a hard enclosure to go with it. I think it's a great idea. Dave

Dave
A hardtop on our 530 is my husband’s dream. Would you mind sharing a ballpark $ of what that cost? I’m assuming you still have isinglass panels for enclosure?

I went big on the top, it's 17 ft long. I don't recommend doing this. I have an overhang front and back that is not needed, seemed like a good idea at the time. I had it built extra wide to keep water from running down the sides of the canvas. This top is insulated with an inch and a half of foam with two wire chases full length. I leave the canvas curtains up year round. It keeps the entire top side clean and dry. So, I'm embarrassed to say but I paid 17K to have it built. I spent anoker 5K to ship it up here. A few mor K to enclose it with canvas. I did the install myself. I think it's a fantastic addition to the 530 and a total game changer all the way around. I would just recommend shopping around for a builder that would do it for less and I wouldn't go 17 feet long. The double fiberglass construction with a foam core is probably unnecessary as well. That would save a lot to delete that concept. HardTops Unlimited out of Alabama built this for me in 2012 or 13. They may not be in business anymore but I can't say for sure. Dave

Looks real nice. A great addition. I have been thinking of the possibility of adding a hard top to my 3007. Would likely be one of a kind. May price it out one of these days. I have other pressing needs that need fixing before I could even think of a hard top for my boat.

Looking again at your pics I think that the overhang you said was not needed actually looks great and is a good thing.

I like that overhang look!